When a friend gave me a notetaking Bible several years ago, I could not have imagined how precious this particular Bible would become to me.

For as long as I can remember, as I’ve read the Bible, I’ve made notes in the margins. But I’ve often wished there were room to write more. (When I was a child, a preacher-friend of my family noticed the near microscopic handwriting in my Bible and gently informed me that when I was older, I would no longer be able to read my notes. Turns out, he was right!) So, when I received this Bible with wide margins and lines for journaling, I was eager to try it out.

My Journey into Journaling

On January 1, 2018, I opened the cover of my new notetaking Bible to Genesis 1, unaware of how the journey I was embarking on would bring fresh springs of joy to my relationship with the Lord. I had no idea of the customized grace I would receive for challenges that lay around the corner — among them, enduring a worldwide pandemic, navigating cultural upheaval, and, more personally, walking with my husband through two bouts of cancer.

At first, I remember looking at all those lines in the margin and wondering, How do I go about this? What should I write? But as I opened my heart to the Lord, reading one passage after another, asking him to speak to me, new rhythms began to develop. I lingered in each chapter, trying to understand what I was reading; then I wrote down what I saw. Sometimes I simply summarized the text; other times I wrote fresh insights and personal applications. I also recorded responses from my heart to his — expressions of praise, gratitude, confession, repentance, and submission. Many of those prayers began with “Yes, Lord!” or “Oh, Lord!”

The countless hours spent poring over God’s word, asking him to help me make sense of what I read, letting him mold my heart to his — this became my “happy place.”

Digging for Gold

Journaling through the whole Bible was a long process, and not always easy. But think about it: When was the last time you walked down the street and stumbled across a pile of gold? It doesn’t work that way. Finding gold requires time and effort digging for it. In fact, that very picture is used in the book of Proverbs.

King Solomon collected priceless treasures from across the world; he knew what it was like to search for beautiful things. In Proverbs 2:3–5, he wrote,

If you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

Again and again, I emerged from time spent exploring and digging in the “gold mine” of Scripture more in love with the God of the word and eager to share with others what I was experiencing. I started out seeking treasure, and, wow, I had found it!

Like the man in Jesus’s parable who found hidden treasure, this search brought me great “joy” (Matthew 13:44). And like the man who went in search of “fine pearls,” what I discovered was “priceless” (Matthew 13:45–46 CSB). And I was motivated to sacrifice time and effort to acquire these treasures.

More than five years later, as I finished journaling through the final verses of Revelation, I posted on social media, “Unspeakable blessing and joy. My heart is full.” An understatement, to be sure. The entire process strengthened my walk with God and deepened my awe of his character, heart, and ways.

I’ve often said that if there were just one message I could share with fellow believers, it would be the importance of getting into God’s word and getting God’s word into us. The practice of Bible journaling is one meaningful way to steep ourselves in Scripture, resulting in greater love for and friendship with its Author, and ultimately making us more like the Savior who is its central figure from cover to cover.

Getting Started

As I posted periodic updates on my journaling through the Scriptures, people sometimes reached out to say things like, “I’d love to begin journaling as I read the Bible, but I have no idea where to begin or what to write! Could you share your method?” Here’s the truth: There’s no “secret sauce,” no must-use method for where to start or what to write. But here are a few simple thoughts about Bible journaling that I trust you’ll find helpful.

First, before you start to read, ask God for his help. Ask the Spirit to give you understanding, wisdom, and insight (Colossians 1:9–11). Commit that your response to whatever he shows you in his word will be “Yes, Lord.”

Second, before you start to write, read Scripture. Read prayerfully, thoughtfully, humbly, and expectantly. I’d also encourage you to read consecutively as a rule — at least through individual books of the Bible, if not larger sections or the entire Bible. After all, the 66 “books” of the Bible are really chapters in the one big Book God has given us.

At times, you may want to move at a slow pace, putting smaller portions under a microscope. In other seasons, you may want to move more rapidly through Scripture in order to get an overall view of the redemptive story. Think of it as the difference between taking a helicopter ride (traveling fast, taking in the view from above) and taking a hike (slowing down, stopping to look at the details of flowers, plants, and trees).

What to Write

If, as you’re reading, the idea of putting your thoughts into writing seems intimidating to you, remember that the most difficult part of Bible journaling may just be putting a pen to a page and beginning. You don’t have to write something on every line; the goal is not to fill all the empty space but to let God fill your mind and heart with his word and to enter into a relationship with the God whose word you’re reading. And don’t worry about polishing what you write — this is not intended to be published.

“The most difficult part of Bible journaling may just be putting a pen to a page and beginning.”

One practical suggestion as you get started: Each time you pick up your pen to begin journaling, record the date and, if you’re away from home, your location. In this way, your Bible will become a personal diary of God’s faithfulness and what he has taught you.

If you’re new to Bible journaling (and even if you’re not), consider using one or more of these approaches.

1. Copy or paraphrase Scripture.

Write out a key verse — one that seems to summarize the passage you’ve just read, or a verse or paragraph that caught your attention and that you want to consider more carefully. This exercise may seem overly simple. But it will help you slow down, ponder what you’ve read, and press it more deeply into your heart.

Once you get accustomed to writing in your Bible, try paraphrasing what you’ve read: Choose a section and write it in your own words. Then record a key takeaway, jotting down an insight to take with you into your day.

2. Write your prayers.

This is a wonderful way to meditate on the meaning of what you’re reading. Almost any verse, paragraph, or chapter of the Bible can be turned into a prayer. In fact, the Revive Our Hearts edition of the CSB Notetaking Bible includes 150 prayers that flowed out of my personal meditation on various texts. Each of those prayers fits into one or more of these five categories:

• Thank You, Lord! (prayers of praise)
• Yes, Lord! (prayers of agreement, surrender, and obedience)
• Oh, Lord! (prayers of confession)
• Help, Lord! (prayers of petition for self)
• Please, Lord! (prayers of petition for others)

Here’s just one example. Journaling through the book of Daniel helped me to see God’s involvement in our world with fresh eyes and to respond accordingly. I wrote,

Oh Lord, what incredible confidence and comfort it gives us to know that “Heaven rules” (4:26). You reign supreme over boastful, godless rulers who occupy earthly seats of power. You rule over every circumstance and “happening” that takes place in our world and in my life — even when it seems that sinful forces have got the upper hand. Thank You for the “sanity” that results when we “[look] up to heaven” (verse 34). May I never cease to beware of exalting myself rather than You, for You are “able to humble those who walk in pride” (verse 37). Amen.

Here are some prompts you might use to journal your prayers:

• Pray back to God something from the passage you’ve read. Affirm that you believe his word is true.
• Thank him for what you’ve read about his character, heart, ways, and promises.
• Confess an area of unbelief or disobedience he has shown you.
• Write a prayer for a family member, friend, colleague, or spiritual leader based on what you’ve read.

3. Go deeper with observation, interpretation, and application.

Remember, there’s no “right way” to do Bible journaling. But if you’re ready to dig a little further, begin to apply basic principles of sound Bible study to your journaling process.

Start by making observations about the text, asking, What does this passage say? Give the passage a title; write a simple outline. Is there a stand-out verse? Key points or themes? Ask the questions of who, what, where, when, and why. Look for repeated words and phrases. Note relevant cross-references — other passages in Scripture that relate to what you’re reading. Summarize the chapter or section you’ve just read.

Then move on to interpretation — What does this passage mean? Write down how what you read fits into the big picture of Scripture: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Consider what the text’s human author wanted his original readers to understand.

Finally, take a step toward application, asking yourself, What should I do in light of what I’ve just read? Are there promises to trust? Commands to obey? Warnings to heed? Examples to follow (or avoid)? Write your response to the text, whether it be praise for what you’ve read, a step of obedience you need to take, someone you need to forgive, a promise you choose to believe, or more. The Spirit will direct your response if you let him.

Uncover Priceless Treasure

What an amazing experience it was for me to journal through the Bible — and still is today, as I continue to soak in and engage with his word, day after day, usually with pen in hand. This is where my heart is most content, safe, and at rest. This is where I repent and where I rejoice. It’s where I find help and hope for life in a broken world. It’s where I am changed from the inside out, where I meet the One whose I am and whom I serve. It’s where he fills my heart and mouth with good things to share with other needy pilgrims.

And here’s what I want you to know: This journey, this “treasure hunt,” is not just for Bible teachers or seasoned students of God’s word. Wherever you may be in your spiritual pilgrimage, it’s available to you.

Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. . . . How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth. (Psalm 119:72, 103)